The 2017 NBA Draft will be on June 22, and many are anxious to see who will get picked at the number one spot. There are many who believe that it will come down to Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball. Both players are exceptional and deserve all the attention they get, but there is one more player who should be in the discussion. Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox stock has been rising ever since he showed up at the combine.
All three players are great and will be future all stars, but which one should go number one? The Boston Celtics have the number one overall pick and will have a difficult choice of which guard to take.
The pick itself won’t be bad because all three players can have immediate impacts on their respective team.
Markelle Fultz
Markelle Fultz was one of the best college basketball players last season. The 6’4” point guard out of Washington averaged 22.3 points per game in his only season at the school. He is a top five lottery pick who many believe will end up in a Celtics uniform. Fultz has the making of being the next great scoring guard. The ability to create his shot are what NBA scouts love about him.
He was very ineffective from the free throw line by shooting in the low 60s. He does have some weakness in his shot decision and the defensive end. But Markelle Fultz deserves to be in the conversation of being the number one overall pick.
Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball is one of the most talked about athletes right now. He was the star of last’s years UCLA Bruins team that went 31-5. The 6’5” point guard was one the most versatile guards in the country. Scouts were impressed with his ability to distribute and shoot the ball. He doesn't have to score for his team to be successful.
He has the capability to get his guys involved and put them in situations where they can succeed. His weaknesses are a bit of a concern though. He is very skinny for a tall guard, which could make his defense very inconstant. Despite all that he is for sure to be one of the next best young NBA stars.
De’Aaron Fox
De’Aaron Fox has come out of nowhere and now could be the number one pick.
The 6’3” point guard was one the fastest players on the court in last year’s college basketball season. Fox has a unique set of skills that sets him apart from Ball and Fultz. His ability to blow past defenders with his speed is unteachable. He has a 6’6’” wingspan that allows him to be a quality defender.
The only thing that hurts Fox’s chances at being picked number one is his shot from outside. He only shot 24% from beyond the arc which for a guard is not very good. Even though that might be his only noticeable weakness, it wouldn’t be crazy to see De’Aaron Fox go number one.
